title: Toxic epidermal necrolysis--a retrospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a severe, idiosyncratic, exfoliative disease of the skin and mucous membranes. The treatment of this condition is controversial. High-dose corticosteroid therapy has been the most commonly advocated treatment, but, more recently, this has changed to a no-steroid protocol. These conflicting treatments prompted us to evaluate retrospectively our protocol.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patients admitted to the hospital from 1989 to 1995 with a clinical diagnosis of TEN were included in the study. These patients were given systemic steroids, prophylactic antibiotic, and supportive measures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients belonged to both sexes with an average age of 34 years. The average area of involvement was 85.62%. All the patients made an uneventful recovery without any evidence of sepsis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment with systemic steroids is useful in the management of TEN, and there is no need for a burn care center.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermato-Venereology, Medical College Hospital, Thrissur, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Criton
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Devi
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Sridevi
authors.forename: P U
authors.initials: PU
authors.lastname: Asokan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013262:Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone